Altruism as art: Drive and display to benefit Connecticut Food Bank

October 25, 2012

Food that is destined to nourish the bodies of low-income Connecticut residents will also, for a brief time, nourish the souls of city visitors as part of a venture being co-sponsored by Project Storefronts and New Haven Restaurant Week, this year being held Nov. 11-16. (See related story.)

The ultimate goal of the venture is to collect donations for the Connecticut Food Bank, which will share the bounty with the approximately 600 community-based feeding programs it serves. Toward that end, community members are asked to donate non-perishable food items now through Nov. 30 at the downtown locations indicated below.

Along the way, however, there will be a creative twist: The donated items will become part of an art installation sponsored by Project Storefronts, part of the city’s Economic Development Department.

The installation — created by artists Patrick Turiello, Leah Fabish and Vito Bonanno — will be on display at 756 Chapel St., the headquarters for Project Storefronts. It will be unveiled on Friday, Nov. 2 during the Faces On9 event.

The artistic endeavor initially will feature items donated by Citizens Bank, the city eateries participating in New Haven Restaurant Week, and Market New Haven. As individual donations come in, the installation will expand and change. When the exhibit and drive conclude, the donations will be presented to the Connecticut Food Bank.

The project is designed “to bring attention to individuals dealing with hunger,” says Kelly Murphy, economic development administrator for New Haven, “and we hope that our art installation encourages people to donate to a great cause.”

Donations can be dropped off at the Traffic & Parking Department in City Hall, 200 Orange St.; and the new Gateway Community College, corner of Church and Crown streets.